Play it again -- Orioles 8, Royals 1

With two on and two out in the first inning, Aubrey Huff drilled a ball to deep right-center field that bounced high into the air after appearing to hit the top of the wall, but video replays were inconclusive. It was initially ruled a three-run homer, which would have been Huff's first this season, but the umpires changed the call, making it a two-run ground-rule double. Huff, who entered the game batting .220, went 2-for-4 and scored a run.

No doubter

Nick Markakis hit his first career grand slam in the eighth inning on the 11th pitch of his at-bat against Royals reliever Todd Wellemeyer. Right fielder Reggie Sanders raced back toward the right-center-field gap, but the ball easily cleared the fence, giving the chilled crowd something to cheer about. Before that homer, the Orioles had struggled with runners in scoring position all night, and they stranded eight overall.

Avoiding trouble

Kansas City managed one run, but had plenty of opportunities to score. The Royals left 10 runners on base, seven of whom were in scoring position. Shortstop Miguel Tejada started two double plays in the first two innings to help left-hander Erik Bedard. Bedard gave up the lone run in the fourth but got out of a bases-loaded jam to end the inning.

On deck

Daniel Cabrera, scheduled to make his third start of the year tonight, has given up five runs in 14 2/3 innings this season. Odalis Perez, who has a 10.80 ERA in two losses, starts for Kansas City.